Manager, WEC Advocacy

Position Title: Manager, WEC Advocacy

Department: Confluence Advocacy

Reporting to: Walton Education Coalition Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: DC, or Jersey City, or Bentonville, or Denver.

Walton Enterprises is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the team as a Manager, WEC Advocacy. The ideal teammate will have the demonstrated ability to conduct thoughtful research and analysis, manage multiple strategic workstreams, build effective partner relationships, and translate complex policy, political, organizational, and financial information into actionable recommendations that support disciplined investment decisions and measurable results.

About the Position

The Advocacy Manager supports the development, execution, and performance of the Walton Education Coalition's (WEC) state and national investment portfolios. Working closely with the State Portfolio Lead and National Portfolio Lead, the role conducts research and diligence, supports contribution development and portfolio monitoring, and manages assigned workstreams and partner relationships. The position helps ensure investments are executed effectively and tied to clear strategic objectives and measurable results while supporting disciplined investment and strategy decisions.

What you will do

In this role, you will support WEC's state and national portfolio strategies through research, investment diligence, contribution development, portfolio monitoring, and partner engagement. You will collaborate with Portfolio Leads, internal stakeholders, and external partners to track performance, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and coordinate activities that advance WEC's strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

Support the State and National Portfolio Leads in executing WEC's portfolio strategies and annual priorities.
• Conduct research and analysis on policy, political, organizational, leadership, and implementation conditions; help assess prospective states, partners, investments, and emerging opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and current portfolio records, investment information, partner materials, decision tools, dashboards, and internal tracking systems to track strategy, performance, and emerging risks.
• Support annual and periodic portfolio reviews and planning processes.
• Monitor developments in K-12 education policy, state political environments, advocacy, elections, implementation, and the broader education reform field.
• Conduct diligence on prospective and existing grantees, partners, and investments; review organizational strategies, budgets, leadership, performance, and proposed activities and synthesize findings for the Portfolio Leads.
• Draft and coordinate contribution recommendations, renewal materials, investment summaries, and supporting documentation that reflect WEC's strategic rationale, intended outcomes, milestones, and measures of success.
• Track contribution timelines, deliverables, and required follow-up.
• Maintain regular communication with assigned partners and serve as a day-to-day point of contact where appropriate.
• Monitor partner progress against agreed-upon goals, milestones, deliverables, and budgets.
• Prepare for and participate in partner meetings, strategy discussions, and performance reviews.
• Identify performance concerns, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities early and elevate them to the appropriate Portfolio Lead.
• Help ensure partner expectations, decisions, and next steps are documented and followed through.
• Coordinate portfolio-related work across the State Portfolio Lead, National Portfolio Lead, Director, and external partners so state and national activities operate as an integrated WEC strategy.
• Prepare materials for internal strategy discussions, board meetings, partner conversations, and other decision points.

Who we are looking for

Skills needed

• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex policy, political, organizational, and financial information into clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills, including managing multiple workstreams, priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.

Qualifications required for success

• Bachelor's degree in applicable discipline preferred.
• Five or more years of relevant professional experience in education policy, advocacy, philanthropy, government affairs, political strategy, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience working with grants, nonprofit organizations, advocacy campaigns, public policy, or political organizations preferred.
• Knowledge of K-12 education policy and state policymaking preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Personal attributes that support success

• Takes ownership of assigned work and drives it to completion with limited supervision.
• Produces accurate, thoughtful analysis that supports decisions rather than simply compiling information.
• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, attention to detail, and reliable follow-through.
• Shows curiosity about policy, politics, organizations, and how meaningful education reform occurs.
• Demonstrates discretion, integrity, and responsible stewardship of WEC's resources and the Walton family's interests.
• Develops increasing capacity to independently manage partners, investments, and strategic workstreams over time.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Benefits Information

Compensation Range: $194,000-$242,000

We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be made, provided they do not pose an undue hardship to the company.

Work is generally performed in a standard office or remote office environment. Duties typically require sitting for long periods; prolonged use of a computer, phone, and other standard office productivity equipment; participating in meetings, communicating by phone, video, and email; and occasional movement within the office or between meeting locations. Occasional lifting of boxes, files, or paperwork may be required. The role is not normally subject to extreme environmental conditions or unusual physical demands.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.

About Walton Enterprises

Walton Enterprises supports the personal, philanthropic, and business activity for the Walton family. We are a family-led organization, supporting multiple generations of Sam and Helen Walton's family.

We value trust, mutual respect, and a workplace where every associate belongs and can do their best work. We bring together talented people with different backgrounds and viewpoints, support their growth, and empower them to contribute meaningfully.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.